Using Linux on Windows with Cygwin

Startx

Typing startx connects the X server to a window manager running locally in Cygwin. For example, /usr/bin/wmaker adds Windowmaker window decorations to the program window. Parameters for the X server itself follow the -- delimiter; startx interprets text before the delimiter as the program to be launched in the Cygwin environment, with any necessary options trailing:

$ startx /usr/bin/wmaker -- -nodecoration

The preceding command initiates a Windowmaker environment on the client side, which occupies the entire desktop above the taskbar. The command

$ startx /usr/bin/wmaker -- -mwextwm

is quite different. It hides the Linux desktop background, keeping the Windows desktop visible. For more information, check out the X.org man page for startx[10].

Conclusions

Cygwin ports the X Window System, OpenSSH, and many other Unix and Linux programs to Windows, allowing Windows users to access Linux computers remotely. Cygwin performance is only satisfactory over a fast local network connection with low latency – a limitation currently only lifted by the no-cost NX Client [11] for remote X on Windows.

Related content

In this month’s Projects on the Move, we observe the battle between man and (chess) machine and check out the free Colonization clone. Also in this issue, tools for Linux users who find themselves facing the Windows prompt.